Non-Agricultural Jobs - 18+

If you are 18 years old or older, you can be employed for unlimited hours in any occupation.

If you are 18 years old or older, you can work on any job at any time. Remember though, states also have rules, so be sure to check your state’s work laws.

There may be some exceptions that apply to your particular situation, so check with your local Wage and Hour Division office if you have questions. Be sure to check state rules for young workers and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules that apply to all employees, regardless of their age.

An employer must pay you at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour for all the hours that you work, except under certain circumstances. Employers can pay you a wage based on an hourly rate, a piece rate, a day rate, a salary, or any combination – but your hourly earnings must average at least the applicable minimum wage. Your state laws may require a higher wage rate, so be sure to contact your local state office for more information.

If you are under 20 years of age, you can be paid $4.25 per hour during your first consecutive 90 calendar days of working for an employer. Certain full-time students, student learners, apprentices, and workers with disabilities can be paid less than the minimum wage under special certificates issued by the U.S. Department of Labor. For more information on these special situations or on exemptions to the minimum wage, please contact your local Wage and Hour Office.

In non-agricultural work, if you are not an exempt employee, you must also receive time and one-half at your regular rate of pay after 40 hours of work in a 7-day workweek. Regular rate includes all compensation, such as certain bonuses and shift differentials. For more information, refer to the fact sheet on overtime requirements.